Jardine Motors Group Holdings, parent company of Lancaster dealer group, is to sell its stake in the Cica French dealership business as its increases focus on the core UK and Asian markets.
Sytner Group intends to rebrand its newly acquired Savernake Mercedes-Benz dealership in Newbury as Cruickshank Mercedes-Benz.
Pye Motors has become the first Ford main dealer to sign up to dealer management systems provider Pinewood Computer Solutions, after dropping its existing supplier Kalamazoo.
Jardine Motors Group plans to close its Equinox Business Partners financial services division after a fall off in business.
Retail prices paid by consumers for new cars dropped 2.2% year-on-year in November, according to Alliance & Leicester figures. This compares to a 1.5% drop the previous month.
Total new car registrations in 2001 were more than 10 per cent higher than in 2000, reaching a total of 2,458,769 units, beating the previous record set in 1989 by 157,825 units or 6.9 per cent.
Lookers plc has sold SMAC Continental Ltd, its Mercedes-Benz dealership in Southend, Essex, for around £5.1m cash to the Lancaster group.
The significance of prestige brands for the Ryland Group continues to grow says its chairman Peter Whale as he announced the acquisition of two dealerships for a total cost of £2.6m.
Mazda has joined the list of manufacturers boosting its product appeal in the new year, with improved specification on a number of models.
Motor manufacturers are enhancing their product offering in the guise of New Year/January sales promotions.
Prestige vehicles proved the most popular among car buyers in December according to Showroom4cars.com, which has has revealed its Christmas 2001 Top Ten list of most popular cars on its website.
Vauxhall is recalling 8,662 Corsa three and five-door models because of seat adjuster problems.
Leading figures in the motoring world have been recognised for their hard work in developing the industry in the New Year Honours list.
MG Rover has been warned its survival is at stake after workers rejected a company pay and conditions offer made during the Christmas period.
Results from the latest auctions held by BCA and Manheim.
Ian McAllister is to step down as chairman and managing director of Ford of Britain on February 28, after 38 years with the company. He will be replaced by Roger Putnam, who will become chairman, and Paul Thomas, managing director, effective from the March 1, 2002.
The new year has boosted the confidence of used car dealers on their prospects for the next quarter, according to the latest Cap Used Car Confidence Index.
Britain's carmakers saw losses deepen to a record £1.7 billion last year.
Kia has introduced a new three-year/unlimited mileage manufacturer backed warranty on all its vehicles, effective immediately.
Employers in the auto-manufacturing sector are predicting a drop in employment prospects for the first three months of the year.
The European Commission is likely to push for a more radical shake-up of Block Exemption than expected by motor industry executives when it reveals proposals on January 30.
A new car brand – offering vehicles running on liquified petroleum gas only – has been launched in the UK. Verte Automotive is introduce a range of cars and pick-ups never seen before in Europe.
Sunwin Renault, in Bradford, has been named Renault UK Business Centre of the Year (2001) for the second year running, beating off competition from 54 other dealerships.
Toyota pre-registered the highest number of vehicles in November, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
BMW says it will meet its target to build a new £60m Rolls-Royce headquarters and manufacturing centre at Goodwood in order to deliver a new car in January 2003.
Seward Suzuki, in Havant, Hampshire, has been awarded the title of 'New dealer of the year' by Suzuki GB.
Small, rural dealerships are at risk of being swept away in the changes to Block Exemption by the European Commission next year, reducing consumer choice as large retailers seize greater market share.
MG Rover looks set to form a strategic alliance with China Brilliance Holdings Co. Ltd (CBH), part of the China-based Brilliance Group, to collaborate on the development of new models.
Sunwin Motor Group is investing £1m in refurbishing and upgrading its Yorkshire dealerships.
DaimlerChrysler (UK) achieved a 100% conversion rate at its latest sale at Manheim Auctions Coventry. With some 250 vehicles sold to 60 bidders, the closed Christmas auction achieved a sales turnover in excess of £4.7m.
